"Best ambassador for the game imaginable" "Good stuff such a baseball treasure" - MLB fans thrilled to see injured Cincinnati Reds star Joey Votto take in a game from the stands and entertain fans

Joey Votto surprised Cincinnati Reds fans today by spending the day with them as he made his way through the ballpark. Fans all around the stadium got to meet and take selfies with the star. On top of Joey Votto's sighting, fans were treated to a 5-1 win over the Boston Red Sox.

Joey Votto is a player who understands how to grow the game. He understands by going out and interacting with the fans, they feel much closer to the team. He's just a fun-loving guy who loves what he does and loves the game of baseball.

Votto ended his season August 19th, as the slugger underwent surgery on his rotator cuff. Since his surgery, Votto has made a couple of appearances in the broadcast booth to help call the Reds games. He may have a job in the booth after he decides to retire.

You can see in the way that he talks that he loves the game of baseball. This is somebody that the league needs to promote heavier to increase the growth of the sport.

No other players are doing things like this, which is truly amazing. He made many kids' days by simply giving them a high-five. The Cincinnati Reds truly have a national treasure within their organization.

Joey Votto has spent his entire 16-year MLB career with the Reds. In those 16 years, he has been named to six All-Star games. He has also won the NL Hank Aaron Award (2010), NL MVP (2010), and the Golden Glove Award (2011). He's a well-decorated MLB veteran who can still play at an elite level.

Before ending his season due to surgery, he was hitting .205 with 11 home runs. There is no doubt that his shoulder has been bothering him for much of the season. These are not numbers Votto is used to putting up. Last season, he hit .266 with a whopping 36 home runs, one shy of his career-best.

A healthy Joey Votto is crucial for the Cincinnati Reds success next season

Joey Votto is entering the final year of his guaranteed contract with an option for the 2024 season. The Reds are hoping that Votto can return next year fully healthy and get back to his slugging ways. They'll need his bat in the lineup if they want a chance at competing in the National League Central.

About the author

Jared "Bloomy" Bloom is a journalist covering Major League Baseball at Sportskeeda and a former college baseball pitcher from Illinois, who just graduated with a Master's degree in Sport Psychology.

A writer with over 3 years of experience, Jared is consistently more concerned with quality than quantity, thoroughly checking multiple sources of information, and prides himself in being knowledgeable not just about MLB, but the game of baseball in general. He loves breaking down plays and game-changing moments, as well as looking closer into players' statistics.

Jared is a die-hard Chicago White Sox fan, and one of his earliest memories is seeing his great-grandfather, a huge Sox fan, in his rocking chair watching a game. Jared started playing from the age of 5 with his grandfather coaching him early on.

Jared loved Tim Lincecum for his quirky delivery and looked up to him as a role model when playing. His current favorite is Phillies star Bryce Harper, an exciting player who doesn't let injuries hold him back. Jared's favorite sports moment is Mark Buehrle's opening day between-the-legs glove flip to first base in 2010.

When he is not watching or writing about baseball, Jared can be found racing BMX at his local Rockford BMX track or coaching his local youth travel baseball team.

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